A 41-point disapproval from union households and a 16-point disapproval from women keep
Ohio Gov. John Kasich under water with a negative 40 - 49 percent overall job approval,
according to a Quinnipiac University poll released today.

This compares to a negative 35 - 50 percent approval in a July 20 survey from the
independent Quinnipiac (KWIN-uh-pe-ack) University.

Ohio voters support 51 - 38 percent repeal in a November referendum of SB 5, the law
limiting collective bargaining for public employees, compared to 56 - 32 percent in July.

"Ohio voters seem to be warming a little toward Gov. John Kasich, although he is still
under water when it comes to public opinion," said Peter A. Brown, assistant director of the
Quinnipiac University Polling Institute. "The governor still has more than three years left until he
faces the voters again and his numbers are moving in the right direction.

"But SB 5 is another story. Support for repealing the bill in the November referendum
has dropped from a 24-point to a 13-point margin. Backers of SB 5 have only six weeks to make
up the difference, although public opinion appears to be moving in their direction."

"The referendum on SB 5 also is a referendum on John Kasich," Brown added.

Another area where Kasich shows improvement is voter perception of the fairness of his
budget. Ohioans say it is unfair 49 - 36 percent, up from 50 - 32 percent in July.

"Kasich sure has a ways to go to get his head above water, especially among women and
union members, but his overall numbers are getting better," said Brown.

Looking at the elements of SB 5, Ohio voters:

Oppose 58 - 36 percent banning public employees from striking;

Support 60 - 31 percent replacing automatic pay increases based on seniority with
increases based on merit;

One Ohio politician who voters think is doing a good job is U.S. Sen. Rob Portman, who
earns a 41 - 23 percent approval rating.

From September 20 - 25, Quinnipiac University surveyed 1,301 registered voters with a
margin of error of +/- 2.7 percentage points. Live interviewers call land lines and cell phones.

The Quinnipiac University Poll, directed by Douglas Schwartz, Ph.D., conducts public
opinion surveys in Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Florida, Ohio, Virginia
and the nation as a public service and for research.
For more data or RSS feed- http://www.quinnipiac.edu/polling.xml, call (203) 582-5201, or
follow us on Twitter.

9. Do you approve or disapprove of the way John Kasich is handling his job as Governor?

TREND: As you may know, there is a new law in Ohio that would limit collective bargaining for public employees. Do you support or oppose limiting collective bargaining for public employees? (*Mar 2011 "proposed" law)

22. The new law would require public employees to pay at least 15 percent of their health insurance premiums. Do you support or oppose requiring public employees to pay at least 15 percent of their health insurance premiums?

TREND: The new law would require public employees to pay at least 15 percent of their health insurance premiums. Do you support or oppose requiring public employees to pay at least 15 percent of their health insurance premiums? (*Mar 2011 "proposed" law)

23. The new law would prevent the public employee unions from bargaining over their health insurance plans. Do you support or oppose preventing the public employee unions from bargaining over their health insurance plans?

TREND: The new law would prevent the public employee unions from bargaining over their health insurance plans. Do you support or oppose preventing the public employee unions from bargaining over their health insurance plans? (*May 2011 "bargaining over health insurance plans for public employees")

24. The new law would require public employees to pay at least 10 percent of their wages for their pensions. Do you support or oppose requiring public workers to pay at least 10 percent of their wages for their pensions?

TREND: The new law would require public employees to pay at least 10 percent of their wages for their pensions. Do you support or oppose requiring public workers to pay at least 10 percent of their wages for their pensions?

25. The new law would replace automatic pay increases based on length of service with increases based on merit. Do you support or oppose replacing automatic pay increases based on longevity with merit pay for public employees?

TREND: The new law would replace automatic pay increases based on length of service with increases based on merit. Do you support or oppose replacing automatic pay increases based on longevity with merit pay for public employees?

34. Governor Kasich says he would like to lease the Ohio Turnpike to a private company and use the funds the state would receive to fund other transportation projects for Ohio. Do you think leasing the Ohio Turnpike is a good idea or a bad idea?